Core Viewpoint - Saudi Arabia is conducting a strategic review of its flagship project "THE LINE" within the NEOM initiative to assess spending priorities and project feasibility [1][3][4] Group 1: Project Overview - "THE LINE" is designed to be a linear city, 200 meters wide and 170 kilometers long, covering an area of 34 square kilometers, with a plan to accommodate 9 million residents and operate entirely on renewable energy [3] - The project has been a focal point of Saudi Arabia's $2 trillion "post-oil era" transformation plan since its announcement in 2017 [4] Group 2: Strategic Review and Adjustments - The review was initiated shortly after the appointment of the new CEO Aiman Al-Mudaifer, focusing on exploring commercialization paths and ensuring operational continuity [3] - The Saudi government may proceed with the project as originally planned unless significant changes are proposed and approved by the Public Investment Fund (PIF) leadership [3] Group 3: Economic Context - The review reflects Saudi Arabia's ongoing adjustments to its economic transformation projects under the "Vision 2030" framework, particularly in light of declining oil prices, with Brent crude currently around $71 per barrel, while a price of $96 per barrel is needed for budget balance [3] - The project has faced challenges, including a reported scale reduction and an expectation of less than 300,000 residents by 2030, with current construction sites largely uninhabited except for workers [4] Group 4: Investor Sentiment - Investors have long called for rational adjustments to such "super projects," with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently supporting Saudi Arabia's new round of spending reviews [4]